Help Amon Achieve His Dream: Send Him To University!

Amon's story:

Hello everybody,

My name is Amon and I am 23 years old. I was born in Nyagatale, a small village in Rwanda. My mother and my father separated when I was young, and my mother brought my three brothers and me to Uganda when I was just 7 years old. We started a new life in the remote village of Rakai, but the challenges were immense. My mother, uneducated and with no stable income, relied on small-scale farming to provide for us. We had no home of our own and lived in a church because we couldn’t afford to rent a house.

For three years, my brothers and I couldn’t attend school. Instead, we worked in people’s gardens to earn food. Despite these hardships, I found solace in the church, where I was actively involved in the community. One day, during a prayer event, a visitor from Kampala asked me if I was in school. When I told her we couldn’t afford it, she offered to help. She brought me to Kampala and enrolled me in school. Unfortunately, after a year, she could no longer support me, and I had to return to the village.

Determined not to give up, I contacted my former school, and the headteacher, Mr. Kazibwe, connected me with Nurture Africa, an organization that sponsored my education up to primary seven (P.7). I was also fortunate to meet a wonderful host family in Kampala. Through this family, I encountered many kind international volunteers who inspired me with their support and encouragement. Thanks to their generosity, especially that of a kind family from Frankfurt in Germany, I was able to complete high school education.

Now, I am at a crossroads. I dream of studying at a university, specifically in Germany, where I hope to pursue a degree in Diplomacy, International Relations, or Procurement and Logistics. I believe that with a good education, I can transform my life and uplift my family from poverty.

My journey has been filled with challenges, but I have never given up. I have gone hungry, but I have kept my focus on my education and my family's future. Now, I am reaching out to friends, friends of friends, and anyone with a kind heart to help me achieve my goal. Your support will not only change my life but also the lives of those I care about. Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for any help you can provide.

With gratitude,

Byarugaba Amon

Who Organizes This Fundraiser?

This fundraiser is organized by Raoul Schubert, a German university student. Raoul is committed to supporting Amon, in his dream of studying in Germany.

Raoul’s connection to Amon is personal and deep-rooted. Amon was Raoul’s host brother during his time volunteering at the Uganda Martyrs Hospital Lubaga in Kampala City, where he spent a year working closely with the local community. This experience fostered a strong bond between them and ignited Raoul’s dedication to helping Amon pursue higher education.

By organizing this fundraiser, Raoul aims to leverage his network and experiences to raise the necessary funds for Amon's studies and living expenses. Your support will not only help Amon achieve his educational goals but also continue the spirit of international solidarity and opportunity that Raoul witnessed firsthand during his volunteer work.

How did we arrive at the original goal amount of 12,000 Euros?

Here is a breakdown of the sum:

1. Living Expenses (Blocked Account - Sperrkonto): 11,208 Euros

To obtain a student visa for Germany, Amon needs to open a blocked account (Sperrkonto) with a minimum of 11,208 Euros. This is without a doubt the biggest hurdle and covers his living expenses, including accommodation, food, transportation, and basic necessities for one year.

2. Tuition Fees: 700 Euros

Amon's expected tuition fees are approximately 350 Euros per semester, amounting to 700 Euros for the first year. This will allow him to enroll in his chosen field of study.

3. Health Insurance: 1,320 Euros

Health insurance is mandatory for all students in Germany. This will cost about 110 Euros per month, totaling 1,320 Euros for a year.

4. Visa and Travel Expenses: 1,000 Euros

This includes the cost of his student visa and a round-trip flight from Uganda to Germany, which is expected to be between 800 and 1,200 Euros.

5. Language Courses: 1,500 Euros

Depending on the university requirements, Amon may need to attend language courses to improve his proficiency. The estimated cost for these courses is 1,500 Euros.

6. Study Materials: 1,500 Euros

This will cover essential study materials such as textbooks, and other academic tools. It also includes a small buffer for any unexpected costs that might arise during the year (because they always do!).

7. Administrative Fees & Miscellaneous Costs: 1,272 Euros

This portion of the budget accounts for platform fees, currency conversion fees, and other minor administrative costs related to Amon’s relocation and university registration.

What if we don't meet the goal?

If we don't meet the full amount needed for Amon to study in Germany, the funds will instead be used to support his education at a university in Uganda. However, tuition costs there are relatively high, and part-time work opportunities are scarce, making it challenging to sustain his studies long-term. Even if we fall short of the goal, your contributions will still provide Amon with the opportunity to pursue higher education and move closer to his dreams, but we will need continued support and a creative planning to help him through this path.

P.S.: If you have read this far: Thank you again for supporting my friend and host brother Amon!

Best regards,

Raoul Schubert

Note: Since we weren't able to gather the money necessary for the blocked account, we have now lowered our fundraising goal! Thank you to anyone who has contributed so far, you are chnging Amon's life!